PEZA pushes WFH for IT-BPOs in PH

MANILA, PHILIPPINES — The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) voiced its support for the institutionalization of the work-from-home (WFH) among information technology-business process outsourcing firms (IT-BPOs) in the country. 

In a statement, PEZA OIC Deputy Director General Tereso Panga said they are praying for long-term WFH or hybrid workplaces in the Philippines as most of their IT locators prefer these arrangements. 

Panga also stated that they are hoping for the amendment of Sec. 309 of CREATE Law so that PEZA-registered business enterprises (RBEs) will be on “equal footing” with those registered with the Board of Investments (BOI).

CREATE Law’s Section 309 requires IT-BPOs to be “operated within the geographical boundaries” of an economic zone, disallowing them to allow 100% WFH implementation.

Additionally, the firm expressed support for the extension of the application for transfers of IT-BPOs from PEZA to BOI. 

Panga stated that this deadline extension would give way to the last-minute filing of applications for paper transfer by their RBEs.

“Whatever it takes to keep the competitiveness of our IT locators, we are all for it.”